Sansom gets love in House farewells

The members of the House's "senior class" are giving farewell
speeches in the final two weeks. Beyond the abhorrent length of the
goodbye remarks, it's interesting to note one name that keeps getting
mentioned: former Speaker Ray Sansom.

Sansom, a Destin Republican, resigned earlier this year under the
weight of a criminal probe and ethics complaint into his secret budget
projects. The criminal indictment of Sansom condemned the legislative
process as a whole for its secrecy and the influence of special
interests.

But apparently some lawmakers see it differently. Reps. Juan
Zapata, Mary Bradenburg and Baxter Troutman all
thanked Sansom for his leadership and friendship. It's striking given
that most House members were reluctant to defend Sansom as the criminal
investigation unfolded.

On Tuesday, Troutman, a Winter Haven Republican, called the Sansom
scandal an "unnecessary witch hunt."